Queens Chronicle Assistant Editor Profiles Councilman Como

The Queens Chronicle wrote a profile on newly elected Councilman Anthony Como and at first glance it looks like the voters of 30^th District picked a winner.

Let's hope he performs his duties up to his apparent capabilities. The story screams "local boy done good"

With Votes In, Como Takes District 30 Council Seat

Votes were officially certified by the city's Board of Elections last Friday in the special election for City Council District 30, giving Middle Village Republican Anthony Como a definitive, if narrow, victory in this hotly contested race.

With voting machines opened and recanvassed, and all paper ballots — including absentee and affidavit ballots — counted and recounted, and with all disputed ballots put to rest, the final count gave Como a 41-vote lead over Glendale Democrat Elizabeth Crowley, at 2,442 votes to 2,401.

Middle Village Republican and former District 30 City Councilman Thomas Ognibene came in a close third with 2,110 votes, while Ridgewood Democrat Charles Ober finished fourth with 766 votes.

Within political and media circles, it is easy to forget that amid all the hype attached to this sometimes bitter personal and ideological battle to replace the disgraced former-Councilman Dennis Gallagher — who in April was forced to resign as a part of a plea bargain over charges of sexual assault — attention to the race was low in a broader sense.

In a district which comprises a large part of middle Queens, including Maspeth, Middle Village, Ridgewood, Glendale, and parts of Woodhaven and Richmond Hill, a turnout of fewer than 8,000 voters — though higher than many anticipated — was scarcely high by any other standard.

Local residents who have followed this election closely perhaps have a sense of who Como is, and what he wants to bring to the district in terms of his passions, ideals and causes. But for the tens of thousands of district residents who did not vote, but who he will represent, he is a man worth getting to know.

Como's name could gain importance in the coming years, even beyond district lines. By virtue of circumstance, term-limits in the City Council could mean he will wind up council speaker by virtue of seniority, due to the extra year-and-change added by having been elected June 3 (other council members go up for election or re-election in November 2009).

Complex state election law requires that he face election again this November, then again in November 2009, before sitting a full, four-year term (making him a good candidate for speaker in about five years). But the advantages of winning the seat now are clear in terms of establishing the Como brand before voters hit the polls again — and again.

The Queens Chronicle sat down with Como toward the end of a long day on Tuesday to get to know him a little better. The new office is familiar: it is the same one that belonged to Dennis Gallagher before he resigned, a corner, storefront office on Metropolitan Avenue in Middle Village. For a few hours, the 34-year-old councilman relaxed, spoke about his ambitions and his life growing up in the area and sipped a large iced coffee just before dashing off to attend four evening meetings with civic groups, Little Leagues and seniors. He had been sworn into office just the day before.

Como was born at Wyckoff Heights Hospital, in Brooklyn, on April 22, 1974, the second of three children to Sicilian immigrant parents. For most of his young life, he lived with his parents, older sister Rosa and younger brother Sal on Woodbine Avenue, in Ridgewood, and attended Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Catholic school from first to eighth grade. During most of that time, his father worked in construction and carpentry unions and his mother was a seamstress.

After his father underwent quadruple bypass heart surgery, his parents opened a grocery store in Ridgewood, about the time Como was in eighth grade. Afternoons, he and his siblings would get home from school, change clothes and help out around the store, sweeping floors, organizing shelves, doing whatever small jobs needed doing. "It was the best thing," he said. "You learn the value of a dollar. And it made us an extremely close family.

It's not because I was forced to do it," he added. "But I realized that my parents had been there all day and I felt it was selfish of me to say, 'hey, I wanna go play outside,' but meanwhile my parents have worked already 10 to 12 hours."

His family moved to Middle Village around the time Como moved on to high school, when he attended Christ the King Regional High School, also in Middle Village. It was there that he first informally met state Sen. Serphin Maltese, on the board of directors at the school, who, in years to come, would become a "father figure" to Como.

It was a relationship that developed quickly when Como was at Queens College, where he earned a double-bachelor's degree in urban planning and political science. In his last year, he interned for Maltese, then took a full-time staff position with him the next year after he graduated.

For the three years following, from 1997 to 2000, Como stayed on staff with Maltese, while also juggling a full course load at Hofstra law school. "I'd always wanted to be an attorney," he said. "I always wanted to go to law school. Ask my family, since I was a kid, I always wanted to go."

While he worked for Maltese, he made a lasting impression. "He was a very bright young man," Maltese said. "Better than that, he was somebody that was very feeling, very concerned about the people that he dealt with. I could always depend on him to follow through."

Once he had finished law school, Como left Maltese's office with the senator's blessing to serve as an assistant district attorney under Queens District Attorney Richard Brown from 2001 to 2005.

We had many conversations about that," Maltese recalled. "I was an assistant DA … and I thought that since he wanted to stay in public service that he should take a similar route."

Once inside the courtroom, Como rose quickly to prominence. In a phone interview, Brown said that the assistant district attorneys who did "extraordinarily well" were assigned to the homicide investigations bureau. "They're the ones who arrive to homicide cases in the middle of the night and are the first line of defense to our obtaining all the background information that we need with respect to our homicides," Brown said.

In 2002, Como won the Hal Miller Weinstein Memorial Award in his first year, given to those first-year assistant district attorneys who, in Brown's words, most exemplify the "spirit, enthusiasm and dedication to public service" of the former assistant district attorney for whom the award was named, and whose life was cut tragically short in a car accident in 1992.

(Como) was certainly a team player," Brown said. "He was always willing to step up and lend a hand." He went on to commend his popularity among colleagues, his "good investigative instincts," and the long hours he put in after hours and on weekends.

In 2005, Como left the district attorney's office to run in a special election to replace Michael Cohen for the 28th District state Assembly seat, an election he lost to Andrew Hevesi. "It was a fun race," he said in retrospect. "But it worked out the way it did, and I believe everything happens for a reason."

With the election finished, Como soon took on the dual responsibilities of acting as chief legal council to Maltese, and working as the commissioner to the Queens Board of Elections.

In his first year, he was offered the presidency of the BOE for the city. "It was tough, because it was my first year," he said. "But I enjoyed the challenge and I enjoyed the job. Sometimes when you serve well, you get punished by getting another promotion."

Over the years, Como has served as a member on numerous organizations, including the Glendale Civic Association, Middle Village Property Owners / Residents Association, The Congress of Italian-American Organization and as legal counsel to the Juniper Park Civic Association.

He also formerly served as a board member for the Italian American Federal Credit Union and Italian Charities of America. Like his mentor, Maltese, he has also served on the board at Christ the King, a post he retains today.

Recently married to longtime sweetheart Tiziana, a school psychologist, he said he hopes to have children sometime soon, but is in no rush. He first looked forward to taking his wife away for a couple of days now that the grueling election race was over, and to moving into their new home in Middle Village, still under construction, within a few months.

That said, Como's greatest challenge clearly lies before him, a fact of which he was clearly aware. For starters, there's the city budget, which the City Council has to approve by June 30 — necessarily Como's top legislative priority at the moment.

But it's also no secret that in the wake of the Gallagher scandal — particularly because Gallagher was a divisive figure around the community to begin with — district residents are looking to move forward, a view expressed repeatedly from civic meetings to polling stations over the last several months.

"I was brought up by my family, and in politics, to believe that your word means something, and your handshake means something," he said. "That's the type of campaign I ran. … I ran on me and my merits, and I knew people would see that.

I owe something to the people that voted for me," he added. "And that's what I've got to deliver on now

Como And Ognibene Bury The Hatchet

From Elizabeth Benjamin and the Daily Politics

Tom Ognibene formally declared a truce with his erstwhile 30th CD special election opponent and fellow Republican, Councilman Anthony Como, and said he will not run against Como in the general election this fall.

"I am not going to run in the fall, I think it would do too much damage to the Republican Party," Ognibene said in an interview after Como's office announced the Republican truce in a press release.

The June 30th CD special election coincided with the first day for circulating petitions. Some candidates - including Ognibene - were already out in the field collecting names for a potential run in November. But Ognibene said he has instructed his volunteers to pull his petitions back.

Democrat Elizabeth Crowley's name is also on petitions being carried by the Queens Democratic organization.

In her concession to Como, Crowley pledged to "continue to speak out on the issues that matter to the families of my community." She did not rule out another run this fall when turnout will be significantly higher.

The petition period ends July 10 and candidates have until July 14 to decline, enabling committees to fill vacancies to select replacements.

The independent petitioning period starts July 8. Candidates must collect signatures from 5 percent of the number of voters in the district who cast ballots in the last gubernatorial election or 2,700 people - whichever is less.

Bowling for Tax Dollars

Bowling has always been a fun activity for all members of the family. From the very young to the young at heart all can enjoy the sport of bowling. Unfortunately, bowling alleys have been closing around the area to make way for big box retail stores or residential development. Consequently, residents from Queens are waging a fight to keep bowling in our area.

Why can't city spare some tax deals for bowling alleys?

Monday, June 16th 2008, 2:25 PM

Jim Santora

What sport can you participate in when you are 2 years old and more than 100 years old? Bowling, of course!

According to the United States Bowling Congress (USBC), there were more than 67 million people who went bowling in 2007. Bowling is the No. 1 participation sport in the U.S. and yet it is getting harder and harder to find a bowling alley in the five boroughs.

In 1970, 125 bowling establishments existed in the boroughs; now, sadly, there are less than 25. In Queens alone, where just two months ago, there were seven, there are now five. The recent closings of the well-regarded and populated Woodhaven Lanes and Van Wyck Lanes sent bowlers reeling in search of other sites to continue their sport.

Senior citizens are finding it nearly impossible to navigate to more distant centers. Young children are being deprived of a neighborhood entertainment center and their popular bowling birthday parties. Teens and young adults need to find other exciting and safe things to do on Friday and Saturday nights instead of "Cosmic" bowling. On any given day, you can find people of all ages, colors, religions, nationalities and genders bowling together in harmony.

Woodhaven Lanes and Van Wyck Lanes were the victims of high rent and insurance, increases in the value of the property and the escalating costs of doing business. Reportedly, both will be leased to "big box" retailers with no ties to the neighborhood. Woodhaven Lanes served its community proudly for almost 50 years. It was more than a place to bowl. The center was a meeting place where lives seemingly developed in a blink of an eye, but actually over decades. People found their mates there, made lifelong friendships and received comfort when loved ones were lost.

Now, there isn't a place to mourn another lost loved one - Woodhaven Lanes. Generations of bowlers religiously frequented those lanes. Senior citizens and disabled bowlers eagerly awaited their daily and weekly visits to get away from their aches and troubles. It was vital and low-cost emotional and physical therapy. These are the precious jewels of life that future generations may not encounter.

Recently, two articles appeared in the Daily News stressing tax breaks for the purpose of keeping businesses in the city. Television and movie producers, major fast food chains such as McDonald's and White Castle as well as gas stations were handed large tax incentives. Tennis and golf clubs are routinely given tax breaks as well. None of those enterprises gives back to the community what bowling centers do and yet they are left out of the mix.

There were several bowling entrepreneurs - among them a well-respected proprietor, John LaSpina, an owner of four lanes in the metropolitan area - who were ready to step in and keep Woodhaven Lanes operational for decades to come. A tax incentive would have made a difference and kept the cost of running a bowling establishment at a reasonable level for both the bowler and the owner of the property.

Sadly, an agreement did not come to fruition. Many local politicians base their platforms on the dangers of "over-retailing" of the community and the need to provide quality of life. We have enough places to shop but not enough areas to socialize, play and share our lives. Isn't it time we invested in the community and its people by giving the bowling operators a tax break?

Jim Santora, 55, of Middle Village, was president of a 176-member bowling league at Woodhaven Lanes in Glendale until it closed May 18.

Buh-bye Willie...

Well his tenure wasn't as long as most had hoped...


But the Patriots wish him the best...





Sports Illustrated Story

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

ANTHONY COMO, 30th District Councilman

Congratulations to Anthony Como!

After recounts, Como declares victory

BY PETE DAVIS

Wednesday, June 11, 2008 7:32 PM EDT

After a machine recount and absentee paper count, it appears Republican Anthony Como has held off Democrat Elizabeth Crowley by 38 votes in the 30th City Council District Special Election, although an official certification will likely not come until next week.

During a tumultuous Wednesday, June 11, at the city’s Board of Elections (BOE), Como’s vote-margin dipped below the 29-vote lead he held going into the absentee paper count, but by the end of the count, he had received 85 additional votes while Crowley only picked up 76.

“They always tend to go the same way as the machine goes,” an exuberant Como told The Courier shortly after he heard the news of the final totals. “It’s exactly what we predicted.”

As of press time, the Crowley campaign said they could not confirm the numbers or comment publicly.

Courtesy of the Queens Courier

Ober's Camp Throws Hissy Fit

Please read below this email from Esposito of the Ober for Council Campaign. This is a beautiful piece of hilarity and a bushel of sour grapes. The best part is when they give a special thanks to the JPCA, The Forum West, Christine Wilkinson and the Queens Crap.

Enjoy. You can't make this stuff up.

To all our supporters, our friends, our volunteers and our workers,

We will be releasing a press release in the coming days. But I wanted to just say a few things about this race. We won this race. Maybe not in the way many of you would understand, but we really are winners. We had 2 goals, 1 Charlie would win but more importantly was not to let Crowley take that seat. We felt that if Crowley won, this district would be in for a very bad 10 years and it would have strengthened the democratic machine here in Queens. We wanted other people and politicians to understand that the 6^th crime family, the Queens Machine family, was not going to run things the way they used to anymore. We ran an honest and clean campaign. Ewe never lied, threatened, hurt or demanded anything from anyone. We remained respectable, and thoughtful this whole race. Charlie did not embellish himself like the other candidates did, he did not make up shit like the other candidates did, he did not threaten peoples job, positions or even friendships like the others did and we used community people to help us in our entire campaign unlike the others. I can sit here and go on and on about how many rotten and unethical things all the candidates did to try to get elected but in the end, we stayed true to ourselves, and true to who we really are. That is important to us because there was no acting or shenanigans like that all did. We did not hang up fliers all over the poles like all the others did. We did not go and rip down peoples banners and posters like the others did. We did not harass the other peoples volunteers like they did to us. We ran a respectable race with honesty and integrity reflecting Charles personality.

We are winners. We put the Queens machine in their place. We hurt Crowley's chances of ever getting elected. And county has 3 people to blame for that. Cathy Nolan, Lois Marbach and Cathy's wife Jerry Marsciano Nolan. The 3 of them knew since Dennis got arrested that Charlie was going to run. They may deny that now but it is true and Charlie saved the emails that he sent to Cathy about his race. Cathy Nolan underestimated Charlie and figured that he would never be able to mount a successful campaign and she promised him she would endorse him and the club would endorse him. She promised him that he would have her support. In the end Cathy lied flat out. Cathy sent out a damaging letter to all the board members of the club saying very hateful things about Charlie and basically letting the club members know that if they support Charlie she will not be their friend anymore, so no one in the Cathy Nolan Independent! Democratic club supported or endorsed Charlie because they are so afraid of not being able to play with Cathy anymore. Not to mention the fact that Cathy threatened her employees that they would be fired if they supported Charlie. Imagine a grown woman using her power and position to control people. Well, that is politics. And lets see if Cathy is going to get 260 people to show up to the 100^th anniversary dinner in 2 weeks. If not for Charlie she would have never had such successful events. But now that Charlie is not helping her lets see if they can top 260 like last year I doubt it.

Cathy Nolan cursed me out in front of 8 people. She accused me of not belonging to the neighborhood and why the **** I was even involved in the club. She accused me of coming into her neighborhood and getting involved in local politics, not realizing that Charlie and I have been friends for over 20 years. She lost her cool because she knew that I was going to mount a serious campaign and did not want that. All along her and Lois tried to set Charlie up for a fall and they failed and now they have to face county.

Cathy Nolan the assemblywoman on Easter Eve not only cursed me out but also threatened Charlie, that if he ran he would cause the world to fall on her club. To be exact, she stated that some people would lose their jobs, that Lois would not get any work, that the club will lose support, that no one will support the club anymore, that no politician will ever speak at the club again, that he would lose his partner, that he would lose his friends, that the club functions will fall apart, that the dinner will not be successful because no one will come because he is running against Crowley, that the club will divide itself, that she would lose her precious power within the club because Charlie was going to run. The only thing Cathy did not blame on Charles' run was the Iraq war. Her and her cohorts tried everything to get Charlie not to run. They even tried to see if they could buy him out of the race. What no one knows is that Charlie cannot be bought and he will not compromise his principals and morals like Cathy did. Charlie is true to himself. He is a man of integrity and honesty. He is a man that stands on those same principles he was taught as a kid. Money and power does not motivate him for a seat. He is absolutely a caring person. Cathy Nolan should be ashamed of herself. A former employee went on to say that Cathy is very afraid of having to run a campaign after being in office for 22 years. She is so afraid because she is so out of touch with the community and the changes that have come over the 22 years. Cathy does not to have an opponent. That is why Nolan did not want Charlie to run because county threatened an opponent against her. County also called on every city employee that got a job because of county and threatened their status if they did not help Crowley. They used their power to threaten all the city council employees to say that if they did not help Crowley they may not have a job later on. This needs to be investigated because this is how the Mafia got their start, through intimidate=ion and threats. Crowley a congressman having his cohorts threaten people and threaten peoples jobs. Is this what we have come down to?

We ran an absolute honest campaign. Wee did everything by the books. All these wonderful endorsements and kind words about Charlie are really true. I think that a combination of Crowley's people sending out that letter to the community making homosexuality an issue is part of our down fall. But that only shows you how hypocritical the democrats are. Being gay is only good enough when you need our money, out time and our energy. But when a gay person wants to run for office that is where they draw the line. They are all 2 faced individuals who have to live with themselves for how they acted in this race. Charlie Ober never once used the gay issue as something to run on. We never marched down Myrtle Ave trying to make a point we never brought the gay community here to make an issue we had a small press conference and put a period to it and went on. That letter was a vicious attempt by the Democrats to come after Charlie because they had nothing else to go after him with. He has nothing to hide. He is completely clean and scandal free. So they used his sexuality to scare the people from voting for Charlie. Plain and simple.

We lost because we would not have people go in the polling sites voting under dead people's names, we would not threaten people if they did not support us, we did not fight with people, we did not use horrible tactics to hurt any of the candidates all we did was tell the truth all along and even though we lost the race CROWLEY is not the councilwoman of the 30^th district and that is great. Now we need to start again and we hope that the people of the 30^th district take this more seriously and see why the NY Times, the Independent Party and the 504 Democrats endorsed Charlie, because he really is a man of integrity and honesty and that he will never compromise for anyone. Charlie cannot be bought out.

I am also putting word out that we are looking for people who want to run for the assembly seat against Nolan. And the committee chair against Vanbramer. I will run your petitions with Charles in certain areas and I will run the petitions for you in the other areas also. All I need are 2 people who would like to run for office. I will take it from there. Please contact me if you want to run and we will talk about logistics.

It is a time to vote out the good for nothings, the people who want to keep their little club together without having outsiders come in and know the truth about all the money they waste on themselves, all the money they give away to groups that are part of their little piggy banks and we want honest people who are going to use the people's tax money in ways that mean something and not in ways that are for themselves beneficial.

A special thank you to the JPCA, Pat Adams at The Forum, Christine Wilkinson and Queens Crap for all your support, among the other people that helped and there was a lot. We have made a lot of good friends and that you cannot vote out. These people are hard working people who make it there business to help the community all the time. We will announce after petitioning what our plans will be but do not count out Ober because we have only started and have a lot more fight in us.

And remember if you are interested in running for the 37 assembly or for committee chair let us know we will be glad to run your petitions for free. We have a lot of people who want to help us now and we will do it as volunteers for you.

Ober for Council Campaign

Visiting the Windy City...

Be back on Wednesday...

A Nursery Song for Eric Ulbitch

One …two, we're Coming for you

Three… four, he's Holden's Whore

Five…six, No Carrot but a Stick

Seven…eight, We'll Seal His Fate

Nine…Ten, He'll Never Run Again

Holden, Wilkinson and Avella's Impotence

I haven't stop laughing since last night because I've been thinking about Holden, Wilkinson and Avella crying over their abysmal election failure last night.

Once again, Bobby, Christina and Tony have proven they are politically impotent and personally bankrupt.

Consequently, the two candidates that they supported came in last as opposed to the two candidates Holden, Wilkinson, Avella and Crappy attacked over and over again.

The end is drawing near for these despicable individuals and we are over come with joy.

Congratulations to Como

It is being reported that Anthony Como has won the Special Election for the 30^th Council District by 74 votes.

Como By 70 In 30th CD (Updated)

With 100 percent of the vote in, it appears the Republicans have just barely managed to hold on to the 30th CD seat that used to belong to former Councilman Dennis Gallagher, maintaining their three-member conference.

The unofficial results, according to the city Board of Elections, are as follows:

Anthony Como: 2,352, 31.71 percent.

Elizabeth Crowley: 2,282, 30.77 percent.

Thomas Ognibene: 2,031, 27.38 percent.

Charles Ober: 752, 10.14

UPDATE: There are 196 valid absentee ballots so far, according to board spokeswoman Valerie Vasquez-Rivera, and they can be received by the board up until next Tuesday.

So much for the idea that having once held a seat gives you an edge in trying to get it back, not to mention the clout (or lack thereof) of The Times endorsement in the 30th.

It's also, one might argue, a triumph of the establishment over independence. Both Crowley and Como were endorsed by their respective county party committees.

GET OUT THERE AND VOTE!

30th COUNCIL SPECIAL ELECTION TODAY!!

POLLS OPEN UNTIL 9pm

Ognibene The True Spoiler Candidate

In a recent mailing, the friends of Tom Ognibene put out a letter chastising other candidates of being spoilers. However, Ognibene has the history of being the premier spoiler for his own personal and political gain.

According to reliable sources, a poll conducted by Ognibene revealed that the race for the 30^th District Council Seat is between Crowley & Como. Therefore, they made a feeble attempt to divide dedicated Republican voters in hopes of exacting their own personal vendettas.

Oginbene tried (unsuccessfully) to run against Mayor Bloomberg and didn’t care that he would be helping democrat, Freddy Ferrer. Therefore, Ognibene calling anyone a spoiler is absurd and an insult to republicans, conservatives and all voters.

Matt Hunter signed the letter but failed to inform readers that is a liberal leftists and that he has been a Crowley contributor since day one despite his new republican affiliation.

Gabriel Tapalaga signed the letter in the hopes of securing his wife another chief of staff position. Let us not forget that his wife was Gallagher’s part-time chief of staff.

Bart Haggerty signed the letter as a political wannabe who has delusions of grandeur of taking over the Queens’ GOP. Thankfully, the Haggarty’s have as much influence as an umbrella salesman in the Mojave Desert.

ANY VOTE FOR OGNIBENE….. IS A VOTE FOR CROWLEY.

Holden Supports Developers, Corruption and Gallagher

The Patriots are going to utilize mathematical logic to prove the above title. In logic, you are able to make certain assertions by other known facts.

Here goes:

If Holden endorses Ognibene,

and Ognibene takes a lot of money from developers…

Then Holden supports developers.

If Holden endorses Ognibene,

and Ognibene is named in a bribery scandal…

Then Holden condones bribery of public officials

If Holden endorses Ognibene,

and Ognibene has defended Gallagher and called Dennis an effective public servant…

Then Holden defends the competence of Gallagher

Now we are totally aware that this is faulty logic because the only thing that Holden supports is his own greed, personal gains, individual vendettas and his sole purpose of taking over the Juniper Park Ballfileds to erect his evil palace, the Taj MaHolden.

In the end, Robert Holden is just a hypocritical asshole.

A VOTE FOR OGNIBENE…. IS A VOTE FOR ROBERT HOLDEN.

Ober Disses Christina Wilkinson

In a recent mailing condemning overdevelopment, Charles Ober used the above picture to show how the JPCA helped destroy Neidersteins although they "say" they wanted to preserve the civil war relic.

The hilarious aspect is that WE created the picture Ober used to show how hypocritical Christina Wilkinson (depicted as a weeble wobble) and Robert Holden are because Arby's is now a big advertiser in their Forum Crap.

Nice Job Ober!

See link below

Christina Wilkinson Flip Flops on Arby's

Vote Ognibene! He'll be slushing on Day 1

The practice of stashing funds in the city budget through allotments to phantom organizations goes back at least a decade, The Post has learned.

An investigation of budget documents shows phantom groups first appearing in fiscal year 1998, when $150,000 was allocated to "Elder Statesmen" - a name identified by City Council Speaker Christine Quinn as phony.

HAUNTED BY PHANTOMS

In interviews with a dozen current and former council and mayoral staffers, The Post was told that the practice - which it revealed has hidden as much as $17 million since 2001 and which has brought on federal and city investigations - began in the Giuliani administration, when Tom Ognibene was a councilmember and part of the leadership.

In Ognibene's last budget, for fiscal year 2002, there were five phony groups. In [Gifford] Miller's, there were 16. However, if Ognibene returns that number could reach well into the hundreds.

As coffers swelled, the amount of money funneled to fake groups also grew, with annual sums reaching the millions.



Vote Ognibene! He'll be slushing on Day 1

Vendors Vidi Vici

Christ the King vendors have came, they have seen and they have conquered the high school because of their close association with "certain" Board of Directors. Ognibene and Mischel have allegedly helped friends get lucrative vendor agreements with the school in return for cash, gifts and favors. Once again we are hearing that theses two individuals are using the high school as their own cash cow (no relation to the cow we know as Wilkinson).

When will the Christ the King alumni, parents and administration demand a complete and through investigation into the allegations of personal misconduct by certain individuals disguising themselves as Board members ?

Crowley Counting Her Chickens Before They Vote

In a stunning display of arrogance and hubris, Elizabeth Crowley has already booked a place for her victory party. According to political insiders, Liz has reserved the Woodhaven House on June 3^rd to celebrate her victory in the special election.

Apparently, Elizabeth Crowley is confident that her illegal fundraising prowess, convicted felon supporters, special interest friends, union goons and democratic machine cogs will do their magic and steal the election from the voters of the 30^th Council District.

We urge the fine men and woman of the 30^th Council District to come out and vote so that Elizabeth Crowley's scheduled victory party is quickly changed to a concession party.

Cantankerous Corpulent Christina Wilkinson Exposes Unholy Alliance

Looks likes our favorite fleshy female fiend has finally admitted to the unholy alliance between Ognibene and Ober. The immense instigator has exposed that the Patriots were right in postulating that Tom Ognibene and Charles Ober had a clandestine meeting to discuss the intimate details of their campaign strategy. During the sinister meeting it was agreed that they would join evil forces, disguising themselves as reformers while attacking their opponents. It was determined that their unholy union would remain intact until the Special Election on June 3rd at which time they would find out if their deception had worked. (Insert evil laugh or the sounds of Christina eating a live baby seal)

Look what the rotund rogue had to say on the Queens Poop:

Christina Wilkinson said...

I personally have endorsed Charles Ober and JPCA has not endorsed anyone. However, our general consensus is that if Elizabeth Crowley or Anthony Como gets elected, it would be a disaster for District 30. That leaves Ognibene and Ober, and may the best man win.

Maybe Elizabeth can explain why she is for housing at the St. Saviour's site. I've been dying to ask her, but she manages to evade me, like when she and Evan Stavisky refused to sit in the green room with me before the NY1 debate. This is the candidate who says she is going to "bring people together". Can't do that if you're afraid of your own constituents.

First, does anyone really care who Wilkinson has personally endorsed? Did she get elected to some lofty position that we don't know about? Can Christina Wilkinson be so delusional that she thinks her endorsements count for anything? Maybe she's not just filled with animal by-products…there is definitely some unhealthy hubris filling that large body too.

Second, it is so shamefully transparent that if Ognibene or Ober wins, the JPCA will have carte blanche access to the either puppet as repayment for Holden's and Wilkinson's devious efforts to help win them the election. If that happens, the entire community will suffer at the whim of the maniacs running the JPCA.

Thankfully we exposed their evil plot weeks ago and fortunately the voters of the 30^th council district cannot be fooled by Holden, Wilkinson, Ognibene or Ober.

This…..Is……. American Idiot!!!!!!!!!!!!

We can just imagine Simon Cowell staring at Elizabeth Crowley in disgust and saying, "If I'm being honest, I must say that you have to be the biggest bloody idiot this side of the pond."

Ms. Crowley touts herself as being an educator; however, we were unable to verify that Ms. Crowley has ever taught in a classroom. It is possible that Liz feels that because she reads her children bedtime story that qualifies her as being a teacher. Therefore, using that logic, I once removed a splinter from my grandchild's forefinger so I will refer to myself as an accomplished surgeon, Dr. Henry.

Then we have her annoying speaking voice. Elizabeth Crowley's speech impediment makes me glad I am deaf in my left ear. It is painful to listen to her explaining her position on anything for two reasons: First, she has no stance, second she sounds like she has Brian McLaughlin's golf balls in her mouth.

Speaking of the McLaughlin association, the Queens Crap posted the following (thank you Crappy, you are an evil attack blog):

Check this out from the NY POST

...one day in 2004 - as McLaughlin explored running for mayor - he skipped out on an interview with a New York Times reporter, after hiding out in his office with Elizabeth Crowley.

She's his close political pal and a failed City Council candidate. "Brian wouldn't come out of his office - I was banging on the door," said a former staffer at the New York Central Labor Council, which McLaughlin headed.

From the QUEENS CHRONICLE

Elizabeth Crowley, a cousin of Congressman Joseph Crowley and a political ally of McLaughlin, has been reported to be one of three female friends with whom he had "a close personal relationship," according to the indictment.

One of three...How about this from the NY POST?

A second woman with whom he allegedly had a personal relationship received thousands of dollars in union checks and was given a no-show job with a contractor who used union workers, the feds said.

WHY DOESN'T ANYONE IN THE NEWS MEDIA ASK ELIZABETH CROWLEY ABOUT HER ADULTEROUS RELATIONSHIP WITH AN ADMITTED FELON AND THE FACT THAT HER NAME WAS MENTIONED IN A FEDERAL INDICTMENT?

Let us not forget Elizabeth's Crowley's campaign finance woes and admitted money order fraud. It is amazing that Sheldon S. Leffler was convicted of fraud while Liz gets a slap on the wrist for the same offense.

NY Times Article:

Despite the outcome of the June 3^rd Special Election, one thing is clear Elizabeth Crowley, residents have voted and Ryan Seacrest has lifted Elizabeth Crowley's hand and proclaimed her, "the new American Idiot!!!!!!

Send in the dancing bears!

Ognibene, Ober and Crowley’s Memorial Day Disgrace

We received an e-mail from an angry citizen who was enraged by the shameful political campaigning conducted by Ognibene, Ober and Crowley on Memorial Day. No politician should exploit the memory of dead war heroes for their own political benefit.

If an individual has the audacity to take advantage of a citizen’s right to a solemn day of remembrance, we can only imagine the other gross exploitations they would indulge for their own needs. Ognibene, Ober and Crowley owe veterans and their families an apology.

Shame on you all!

Here is the e-mail:

Council candidates Ober, Crowley, and Ognibene disrespect the sacrifices our officers and veterans made by turning Memorial Day services and parades into a political event. It is a shameful act that overshadowed the great day we had remembering our heroes.

Politics Makes for Strange Bedfellows

Political interests can bring together people who otherwise have little in common except for the uncontrollable need for power and influence. Politics makes for strange bedfellows is adapted from a line in the play The Tempest, by William Shakespeare: "Misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows." It is spoken by a man who has been shipwrecked and finds himself seeking shelter beside a sleeping monster.

In this case, all our sleeping monsters are wide awake and their ravenous hunger for political power consumes their sense of decency. Therefore, Tom Ognibene and Charles Ober had a clandestine meeting to discuss the intimate details of their campaign strategy. It was agreed that they would join forces, disguising themselves as reformers while attacking their opponents. It was determined that their unholy union would remain intact until the Special Election on June 3^rd at which time they would find out if their deception had worked. In addition to their demonic agreement, the two agents of deception hatched a despicable plan (the pant and rant) to create a homophobic letter; distribute it to voters so they could publicly condemn the action while placing blame on the other candidates. Bravo! Bravo!

Meanwhile, in his illegal basement, Bob Holden worked feverishly behind the scenes creating Ognibene literature and attacking Tom's opponents on the Queens Crap, in the Forum West and Juniper Berry. Holden even called upon his evil twin Tony Avella to publicly endorse Ober to continue the evil alliance. The Four Horses' Asses of the Apocalypse thought they could pull a fast one over local residents, however, the smart voters of the 30^th District know better.

This race will once again show the true hypocrisy of the Four Stooges (Ober has become Shemp). Holden has condemned all elected officials who have taken $1 from real estate developers but ignores Ognibene's political contributor list. Holden has attacked everyone who is suspected of bending the rules for corrupt DOB inspectors yet he dismisses Ognibene's bribery allegations.

Holden, Ognibene, Avella and Ober = the epitome of strange bedfellows.

Vote Tom Ognibene! He has A Lot of Real (Estate) Friends

Take a look at who has contributed to Mr. Ognibene's campaign. There are many developers on the list. Therefore, it is very surprising that Bob Holden and Christina Wilkinson are supporting Ognibene because we all know they despise greedy developers. But we also know the reality that they are the biggest self-serving hypocrites living in the Western Hemisphere.

It is so true that "Birds of a feather flock together"

Big Bird Ognibene, Dodo Bird Holden and "I Like to Eat" Peking Duck Wilkinson should really go flock themselves.

Here are is the list of developers who have purchased Ognibene:

Athineos Enterprises

This company profile is for the private company Athineos Enterprises Inc, located in Brooklyn, NY. Unicorn 151's line of business is real estate management.

Samson Management

Samson Management owns and manages about 6,000 apartments in the NYC metro area.

Lemle & Wolff, Inc

Lemle & Wolff has been committed to providing decent, safe, and affordable housing to residents of Manhattan and the Bronx since 1938. At Lemle & Wolff, people come first. Our motivated staff take a personal interest in the buildings entrusted to our care and the communities we service. We pride ourselves on our ability to foster positive relationships with our tenants through professionalism and mutual respect.

As a full-service real estate firm, we are experienced in real estate development, contracting, rehabilitation, management, and maintenance.

Manhattan Skyline Management

The company currently manages nearly 4,000 luxury apartments located in the City's most desirable residential neighborhoods. Our goal is to provide our residents with quality homes, attractive surroundings and the highest level of personal service. The organization's reputation for superior apartment residences is unmatched in the New York area. Manhattan Skyline's experienced team of professional building managers offers attentive, 24 hour service for our residents, meticulously overseeing everything from building security and repair work to code compliance. Our own maintenance staff enables us to respond quickly and to appropriately handle tenant and building situations as they arise.

Manhattan Skyline's success and reputation for well run properties also stems from its in-house staff of architects, leasing and accounting back office support personnel and construction division. We are constantly implementing comprehensive preventive maintenance schedules and initiating capital improvements to maintain the highest quality in the buildings we manage.

M&R Management, Inc.

Company involved with Real Estate Management and development.

Tryax Realty Management Inc.

For over 30 years Tryax Realty Management has offered well maintained, secure, quality rental housing in the West Bronx and Harlem.

Tryax Realty Management serves the West Bronx communities of Morris Heights, Mt. Eden, Melrose, High Bridge, Kingsbridge and Norwood, and the Harlem communities of Hamilton Heights, Sugar Hill, and Strivers Row. This comprehensive online tool offers direct access to our latest listings for rental apartments in your area

Plaza Realty

Reality Company specializing in Manhattan properties. They also were involved with a mortgage foreclosure scam resulting in the displacement of many tenants.

Daily News Article: "Forced from homes in subprime ground zero"

Ditmas Management Corp.

This company profile is for the private company Ditmas Management Corp, located in Cedarhurst, NY. Ditmas Management Corp's line of business is real estate managers & operators.

Equitable Management Corp.

Company is involved with real estate investment, development and management.

Leonard Litwin

Leonard Litwin is an American real estate developer specializing in residential construction through his company, Glenwood Management. His company Glenwood Management is currently as ofAugust 07 very close to finishing a building next to Ground Zero.

Truth about debate no-shows revealed

Anthony Como and Elizabeth Crowley used their judgment not to attend Robert Holden’s flea circus disguised as a debate and instead chose to participate in a newspaper round table discussion at the Queens Ledger on Tuesday night. Information was leaked to the two candidates that they would be the focus of the attacks perpetrated by Holden and crew. The other two candidates, Charles Ober and Tom Ognibene, were aware of this plan and eagerly attended the circus. It's obvious that they don't have the cojones or backbone to run their campaigns without the devious Robert Holden pulling their strings.

Ognibene cannot escape his corrupt past and Ober cannot win over seniors, conservatives and blue-collar middle class workers living in Middle Village, Maspeth, and Glendale so they both need to utilize the despicable tactics of the JPCA and its despotic leader, Robert Holden.

Robert Holden and the JPCA want to turn this entire race into a farce and think the people of the district are fools - as usual. The voters in Maspeth, Middle Village, Richmond Hill, Ridgewood and Glendale better wake up and smell the coffee, and do so fast.